Lok Sabha elections 2024: Battle for Baramati

NCP (SP) candidate from Baramati Supriya Sule interacts with voters at Khadakwasla on Wednesday

The political battle in this Lok Sabha constituency has been intensifying with every passing day, with every development pointing to a close fight between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, the respective candidates of the Sharadchandra Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Issues such as water shortage, inflation as well as Maratha and Dhangar reservations are of grave concern for voters.

Sunetra Pawar of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) poses for a selfie with residents of Khadakwasla on Thursday. Pics/Anurag Ahire

The Baramati parliamentary seat encompasses six Assembly seats: Baramati, Indapur, Khadakwasala, Daund, Bhor and Purandar. The Ajit Pawar faction represents the first two seats in Vidhan Sabha, the sitting MLAs being Ajit Pawar himself and Dattatray Bharne, a close confidant of his. Congress legislators Sangram Thopate and Sanjay Jagtap represent Bhor and Purandar respectively.

Sympathy factor

While roaming around the Lok Sabha constituency and interacting with voters, mid-day observed that Sule enjoys a fair amount of support from citizens and because of the split in NCP, the sympathy factor for octogenarian leader Sharad Pawar could benefit his daughter. Ajit and his wife Sunetra have been tirelessly roaming the constituency to garner support. mid-day observed that many senior citizens who have been staunch supporters of Sharad Pawar are upset with Ajit for engineering the NCP split.

Differing opinions

mid-day followed Sunetra on her campaign trail in Khadakwasala on Thursday and witnessed that many youngsters were involved. Sunetra made it a point to meet as many people as possible, even visiting the families of sarpanches and other prominent personalities. Akshay Bhagwat, a supporter of Ajit's faction, said, "This time, the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency will elect Sunetra Vahini because they are aware of the social work she has been doing for so many years.

NCP (SP) candidate from Baramati Supriya Sule interacts with voters at Khadakwasla on Wednesday

The added advantage for Sunetra Vahini is that she has the backing of Ajit Dada who has done a lot of development-related work in the area. The youngers are crazy for Ajit Dada and all six Assembly segments in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency has a high number of young voters."

A local villager requesting not to be named said, "Ajit Dada could have opted to establish his own political party instead of causing a rift within the NCP, a party built with the dedication and efforts of Sharad Pawar Saheb. The people are angry with Ajit Dada because he has caused distress to Pawar Saheb in his old age and so people will vote for Supriya Tai."

An Ajit supporter said, "It cannot be denied that there are many senior citizens or people above 50 who have a soft spot for Sharad Pawar Saheb, but a huge chunk of young voters is with Ajit Dada, so if we look at the current scenario, the fight between Sunetra Vahini and Supriya Tai is neck and neck."

Meeting old rivals

Interestingly, Sharad Pawar has also been meeting political arch-rivals to ease the way for Sule. The veteran leader recently visited Anantrao Thopate's house in Bhor and then had a rally with the MVA group in the Assembly segment, where Thopate's son Sangram, the Congress MLA, was also present. Locals said Sangram is at loggerheads with Ajit and this might help Sule. Sunetra had also met Anantrao Thopate. It is also said that Sharad Pawar had visited the home of former MP, the late Sambhajirao Kakade and interacted with his family.

Burning issues

The constituency has a sizable number of Maratha and Dhangar voters and the reservation issue is of importance here. While interacting with locals, mid-day found that citizens were concerned about the rate of inflation and water shortage. People were also unhappy with the fact that Opposition parties were not highlighting these issues effectively.

Sunetra Pawar of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) on the campaign trail in the same area on Thursday

About Khadakwasla

The Baramati Lok Sabha constituency has a significant number of rural voters but one should not forget that its Khadakwasla Assembly segment has more than five lakh voters. Its sitting MLA, Bhimrao (anna) Dhondiba Tapkir, is from the BJP and these votes may prove crucial.

Baramati background

Supriya Sule, the sitting MP from Baramati, secured 6,86,714 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll and won by 1,55,774. The runner-up, Kanchan Rahul Kul, who contested on a BJP ticket, secured 5,30,940 votes. Navnath Padalkar of the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi secured 44,134 votes. In the 2014 race, Sule secured 5,21,562 votes, winning by a lead of 69,719. Rashtriya Samaj Paksha chief Mahadev Jankar, the runnier-up, bagged 4,51,843 votes while the tally of Suresh Khopade of the Aam Admi Party was 26,396.

Did you know?
In 1991, much before the NCP was formed, Ajit Pawar contested from Baramati on a Congress ticket and secured 4,37,293 votes, winning by a margin of 3,36,263. BJP candidate Pratibha Lokhande, the runner-up, secured 1,01,030 votes while Bhikaram Tapkir of the Janata Dal stood third, with 30,783 votes.

21,00,000
Approximate no of voters in Baramati LS constituency

6,86,714
Votes polled by Supriya Sule in 2019 Lok Sabha poll